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Topic: Argentina Satellite Programs. (Read 1552 times)

Let's start with some up to date information on the Argentine Satellites. In a few days I will revisit this post to list all Argentine satellites ever launched.

ARSAT-3The ARSAT-3 was put on hold until the ARSAT-2 capacity is sold. The new company directors have stated that the ARSAT-2 capacity was not sold, and that no landing rights were obtained outside of Argentina. The former directors stated that they had a 30% utilization contracted for ARSAT-2. Since the plan has always depended on self financing and the new federal administration has no desire to keep subsidizing the construction of GTO birds, ARSAT S.A. put a stop work order with the main contractor, INVAP S.E.

SAOCOM-1A/BOn a more positive story, CONAE's L-Band SAR satellite have passed the latest revision of the space segment. It was lead by the main contractor, INVAP S.A., and included representatives of ASI, CONAE, CSA, ESA and NASA on the revision board. This enables the final integration and sets the launch dates for 2017 (SAOCOM-1A) and 2018 (SAOCOM-1B).http://www.conae.gov.ar/index.php/espanol/2016/834-revision-saocom-abril2016

ÁSAT-3The Argentine Air force is developing with the University of Cˇrdoba the ÁSAT-3. The ÁSAT-1 was Victor and the ÁSAT-2 never flew due to the 2001 crisis.It is a small and innovative SSO bird for Earth observation that will debut an Argentine invention, a plasma thruster that uses a solid PTFE (teflon) bar as fuel. It's camera is a 16MPx camera with a 10m/px resolution. It will fly on a 600km to 750km SSO and have an expected life of 10 years.

SatellogicThe Argentine observation company is on track to deliver its first operative observation constellation, the Aleph-1. It is composed of six ĐuSat sattellites. These 35kg satellites measure 75cm x 40cm x 43cm and will have a 1m resolution monochromatic, 30m multispectral, 90m TIR and 1m video.